Top 10 Foods That Hurt Your Teeth

We all know that brushing, flossing, and regular visits to the dentist are required to keep teeth healthy and strong. The other major component to good oral health is the food we eat, which directly has an impact on our teeth.

Not only does the food we eat influence our body’s ability to heal and stay healthy, what we munch on can affect the health and wellbeing of our teeth, especially the protective layer called enamel. Some foods can eat away at this important coating, leaving our teeth vulnerable to cracks, chips, and decay. And once a tooth is on a fast-track to decay, problems like cavities and tooth and gum disease await.

So, to be safe, here are the top 10 foods that hurt your teeth.

1. Sugar

Not that many people go and eat an actual spoonful of sugar, but there is so much sugar in things these days. Take a look at any packaging and see where a substance ending with -ose (eg. glucose or fructose) is in the ingredients list. The closer to the top, the higher the sugar content. Or the gram count will tell you, too – 4 grams of sugar = 1 tsp. Sugar is the number one worst offender for tooth decay, so consume in moderation!

2. Chewing gum

Lots of people like to pop in some gum after a meal or just have a habit of having it on hand, but it can be hard on dental work like crowns or if you have braces. Sugar-free is better, but if the gum is sticking to your teeth, try avoid it as much as possible.

3. Dried fruit

It’s easy to think that dried fruit is healthy, but it’s both very sugary and very chewy – kind of a combination of the above two. If you can, try for some fresh fruit instead.

4. Alcohol

Any kind of booze or liquor is pretty sugar heavy, including wine and beer. Some spirits also have a high sugar content, and then they are often mixed with soda (we will get to next). If booze is a part of your life, practice moderation and make sure to brush your teeth before bed!

5. Soft Drinks

You may have seen the experiments on the internet where a tooth is placed in a glass of soda and then it dissolves after only a couple of days. Well, that basically explains it. The sugar and carbonate from soda will eat away at the enamel on your teeth so perhaps it’s time to cut down on sugary sodas and replace the drink with water.

6. Coffee

The beloved morning brew stains teeth. If sugar is added, well, you know the story by now. Some people prefer to move away from coffee and replace with something like green tea, which also has a stimulating effect without the challenges that come with drinking coffee.

7. Breads, pastas, and other carbs

Carbs are foods that contain a lot of starch, which can form a breeding ground for dental plaque to grow. The starch can stick to the teeth and turn to sugar when it comes into contact with saliva, leading to the potential for problems like cavities and other decay-related issues. Moderation is key, and so is following a meal with brushing.

8. Citrus fruits

Lemons, limes, grapefruits, and the like are delicious and can be part of a balanced diet, but they also have the potential to cause enamel to deteriorate. If you drink a lot of lemon water or eat a grapefruit every morning, follow with a good swish of water (at the very least) or a quick brushing of the teeth.

9. Pickles

While a favourite snack for many, pickles are, well, pickled, in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, and spices. You know by now the effects of sugar, and vinegar is also an enamel eater. Craving that crunch of pickles is a hard habit to break, so just make sure you follow your snack with some good oral health care.

10. Toffee and Hard Candies

Yes, yes, sugar is terrible for your teeth, but these kinds of sweets are particularly bad. Anything that is super sticky or hard and crunchy (that you can’t help yourself to chew on) can expose weaknesses in your teeth, like a fracture, for example. These kinds of sugar-based cause trouble for old work, like crowns or old cavities, and could potentially lead to needing even more work.

After reading this list, you should have a good idea about which foods are bad for your teeth. It’s not that you shouldn’t ever consume them, but just be aware of how much and how often, and then follow your snack or meal with a brush and a floss. And if you are looking for a White Rock dentist or South Surrey dentist, we would love to welcome you as a patient!